Giant tui sculpture installed at upgraded city intersection

A one tonne sculpture of a native tui
was lowered into position on the corner of Rotorua’s
Tutanekai and Eruera streets today [25 June] by Rotorua
District Council (RDC).

The 3.2 metre piece
provides the finishing touch to a makeover of the busy
intersection, part of the council’s partnership with
community stakeholders to revitalise the inner city.

The council says the tui sculture will form another link
in a proposed sculpture trail for Rotorua, and follows
earlier installation of carved sculptures on two corners of
Tutanekai and Pukuatua streets.

Named ‘Te Tui
Nui,’ the latest artwork, has been carved from black
poplar wood and is on loan to the city from talented Rotorua
artist Trevor Nathan.

It is located on the
intersection’s south east corner outside the offices of
State Insurance.

State Insurance’s Carol Ralph
said it was an exciting talking point and would breathe new
life into a corner which was a popular meeting place for
people.

“I met the artist this morning while they
were installing the sculpture and he said the tui was part
of what New Zealand is; and I like that because it’s
inclusive to all - locals and tourists alike.”

The
Tutanekai/Eruera intersection upgrade has involved
construction of new wider median pedestrian refuges to
provide safer crossings and to improve Tutanekai Street’s
pedestrian connection. Curbing flattened to make crossing
easier for mobility scooters and seating has been raised to
improve accessibility for the elderly.

New
streetscape plantings, an irrigation system, cycle stand and
wooden decking have also been installed as part of the
project.

RDC Inner City Revitalisation portfolio
lead, Councillor Karen Hunt, said everyone had been working
well together and stepping up to make things happen.

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